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Wire Wheels
- Thread starter Earl
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Alan_Myers
Luke Skywalker
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Re: Wire Wheels: Restoration
Hi Dave,
There are many types of media used in blasting, depending upon the item being cleaned and what needs to be removed. Amoung the milder forms of media are plastics and walnut shells. Soda is also used. Glass beads might be used on some items.
Talk to a local shop, let them know your concerns and see what they recommend. Many are equipped to do different types of blasting and can handle a wide variety items.
Media blasting would be far faster, more thorough and effective than hand sanding could ever be. Done right, it gives a perfect "tooth" for paint or powder coat.
I also hate to see a paint stripper used in a job like this. There are so many tiny hiding places for the stripper, that some is almost sure to survive any and all cleaning. It's almost inevitable that some will seep out eventually to ruin the new paint job.
Regarding powder coating wire wheels, I'd not recommend it unless they are disassembled (which probably would mean relacing with new spokes). If powdercoated as a unit, the spokes will be impossible to adjust without damaging the finish. That would mean refinishing the entire wheel and most powder coatings are so tough that a very caustic sort of paint remover is needed to do that job.
IMHO, the easiest way to recondition a set of wire wheels would be to prep the wheels with media blasting and spray with a couple nice thin coats of paint. The "right" (but impractical) way would be to disassemble completely, refinish the parts individually and rebuild the wheels with new spokes.
Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif.
'62 TR4 CT17602L
Hi Dave,
There are many types of media used in blasting, depending upon the item being cleaned and what needs to be removed. Amoung the milder forms of media are plastics and walnut shells. Soda is also used. Glass beads might be used on some items.
Talk to a local shop, let them know your concerns and see what they recommend. Many are equipped to do different types of blasting and can handle a wide variety items.
Media blasting would be far faster, more thorough and effective than hand sanding could ever be. Done right, it gives a perfect "tooth" for paint or powder coat.
I also hate to see a paint stripper used in a job like this. There are so many tiny hiding places for the stripper, that some is almost sure to survive any and all cleaning. It's almost inevitable that some will seep out eventually to ruin the new paint job.
Regarding powder coating wire wheels, I'd not recommend it unless they are disassembled (which probably would mean relacing with new spokes). If powdercoated as a unit, the spokes will be impossible to adjust without damaging the finish. That would mean refinishing the entire wheel and most powder coatings are so tough that a very caustic sort of paint remover is needed to do that job.
IMHO, the easiest way to recondition a set of wire wheels would be to prep the wheels with media blasting and spray with a couple nice thin coats of paint. The "right" (but impractical) way would be to disassemble completely, refinish the parts individually and rebuild the wheels with new spokes.
Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif.
'62 TR4 CT17602L
Banjo
Yoda
Offline
Re: Wire Wheels: Restoration
Back on the subject of restoring the wheels.
Two things to look at before decideing on wether to fix up the old ones or buy new is this.
1. how are the splines in the hub? Now amount of blasting or paint is going to fix worn splines.
2. Are the spokes still adjustable? Wire wheels do require periodic "tuning" to keep them true. It's a lot of time and effort to blast and paint a set of perminantly out-of-true wheels.
Spokes are available through Moss and others, but the cost of replacing all the spokes and adjusters is almost equal to buying a new wheel.
And finally, if you do opt for new wheels, make sure to get new adapters with them. Otherwise the combination of ols and new splines will cause rapid wear on your "new"wheels splines.
I'm in process of freeing up a set of 60 spoke wires. It's labor intense and slow going (If I wasen't broke there's no way I'd even bother) but I'll be able to keep them true from now on.
Back on the subject of restoring the wheels.
Two things to look at before decideing on wether to fix up the old ones or buy new is this.
1. how are the splines in the hub? Now amount of blasting or paint is going to fix worn splines.
2. Are the spokes still adjustable? Wire wheels do require periodic "tuning" to keep them true. It's a lot of time and effort to blast and paint a set of perminantly out-of-true wheels.
Spokes are available through Moss and others, but the cost of replacing all the spokes and adjusters is almost equal to buying a new wheel.
And finally, if you do opt for new wheels, make sure to get new adapters with them. Otherwise the combination of ols and new splines will cause rapid wear on your "new"wheels splines.
I'm in process of freeing up a set of 60 spoke wires. It's labor intense and slow going (If I wasen't broke there's no way I'd even bother) but I'll be able to keep them true from now on.
Re: Wire Wheels: Restoration
[ QUOTE ]
I'm in process of freeing up a set of 60 spoke wires. It's labor intense and slow going (If I wasen't broke there's no way I'd even bother) but I'll be able to keep them true from now on.
[/ QUOTE ]
Banjo,
I am in the same boat as you. I had one 60 spoke wheel that had loose spokes but siezed nipples. I have a question for you. Now that I have the spokes all loose, how do I ensure the hub is centered in the wheel when I start to tighten the spokes again. Is there some sort of "instruction manual" that talks one through this.
[ QUOTE ]
I'm in process of freeing up a set of 60 spoke wires. It's labor intense and slow going (If I wasen't broke there's no way I'd even bother) but I'll be able to keep them true from now on.
[/ QUOTE ]
Banjo,
I am in the same boat as you. I had one 60 spoke wheel that had loose spokes but siezed nipples. I have a question for you. Now that I have the spokes all loose, how do I ensure the hub is centered in the wheel when I start to tighten the spokes again. Is there some sort of "instruction manual" that talks one through this.
Geo Hahn
Yoda
Offline
martx-5
Yoda
Offline
[ QUOTE ]
...
I believe there is a source other than Dayton as (I think) the Moss wheels are Dunlops (now made in India or maybe Pakistan). One of the big 3 does warn against using these wheels, but then they are the one who sells the Daytons.
I have the Moss/Dunlops and thus far (5 years) have found them to be round and durable. Painted, 60 spoke, 15x4.5 are $189 in the catalog -- maybe less from a Moss distributor (particularly if local as you avoid shipping).
[/ QUOTE ]
Everyone I've ever spoken to about wire wheels said "Stay away from the Dunlops". When I asked what the problems were with the wheels, no one was able to give me a definitive answer as to their shortcomings. It was always "The Daytons are better".
Is this true, or is it an urban myth?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
And Geo, having had them on your car for five years seems to de-bunk the "Dunlops are junk" rhetoric.
...
I believe there is a source other than Dayton as (I think) the Moss wheels are Dunlops (now made in India or maybe Pakistan). One of the big 3 does warn against using these wheels, but then they are the one who sells the Daytons.
I have the Moss/Dunlops and thus far (5 years) have found them to be round and durable. Painted, 60 spoke, 15x4.5 are $189 in the catalog -- maybe less from a Moss distributor (particularly if local as you avoid shipping).
[/ QUOTE ]
Everyone I've ever spoken to about wire wheels said "Stay away from the Dunlops". When I asked what the problems were with the wheels, no one was able to give me a definitive answer as to their shortcomings. It was always "The Daytons are better".
Is this true, or is it an urban myth?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
And Geo, having had them on your car for five years seems to de-bunk the "Dunlops are junk" rhetoric.
Geo Hahn
Yoda
Offline
One Dunlop vendor suggested that new wheels be 'tuned' before using as they may have gotten knocked around in shipping. As I recall TRF (a Dayton vendor) jumped all over that as proof that Dayton wheels were superior. TRF no longer cites that but they do refer to the Dunlops as "third-world wheels".
Daytons are about $100 more per wheel (more or less depending on whether they or the Dunlops are on sale) and are clearly a fine product.
To my mind, building wire wheels isn't rocket technology but like so many aspects of driving and maintaining these cars... each must decide for themself.
======================================================
1. Okay, I was comparing Moss & TRF. Looking at the British Wire Wheel site I find that Dunlop & Daytons are similarly priced there... in fact the chromed Dunlops are sometimes more, possibly because the chrome plate the SS spokes instead of polishing them.
2. From the Vicky Brit site: "Because they have been shipped over 8,000 miles and handled many times, you will need to "true" your wire wheels before mounting them on your car". Well I didn't do that.
Daytons are about $100 more per wheel (more or less depending on whether they or the Dunlops are on sale) and are clearly a fine product.
To my mind, building wire wheels isn't rocket technology but like so many aspects of driving and maintaining these cars... each must decide for themself.
======================================================
1. Okay, I was comparing Moss & TRF. Looking at the British Wire Wheel site I find that Dunlop & Daytons are similarly priced there... in fact the chromed Dunlops are sometimes more, possibly because the chrome plate the SS spokes instead of polishing them.
2. From the Vicky Brit site: "Because they have been shipped over 8,000 miles and handled many times, you will need to "true" your wire wheels before mounting them on your car". Well I didn't do that.
Andy Blackley
Jedi Trainee
Offline
TRF has the Daytons on sale at quite attractive prices. Plus they will ship them cheap too.
Heres a link: https://www.zeni.net/trf/summertentsale/16.php
Heres a link: https://www.zeni.net/trf/summertentsale/16.php
LastDeadLast
Jedi Knight
Offline
When I bought my Daytons from Allen Hendrix, (www.hendrixwirewheel.com) his price beat TRF by a good bit if I remember.
Offline
Re: Wire Wheels: Restoration
[ QUOTE ]
I am in the same boat as you. I had one 60 spoke wheel that had loose spokes but siezed nipples. I have a question for you. Now that I have the spokes all loose, how do I ensure the hub is centered in the wheel when I start to tighten the spokes again. Is there some sort of "instruction manual" that talks one through this.
[/ QUOTE ]
As mentioned, there are DIY instructions available. What they don't say is that truing spoked wheels is more art than science. The art only comes with experience. Getting the wheels perfectly concentric & round, straight & with the correct offset, is truly a huge job for the inexperienced. It requires jigs, indicators, & knowing exactly what to do. Good luck. If you are successful & will do it cheap, I have some old wheels that need a bit of attention. I got all the experience I wanted on motorcycle wheels which are much easier to work with. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
D
[ QUOTE ]
I am in the same boat as you. I had one 60 spoke wheel that had loose spokes but siezed nipples. I have a question for you. Now that I have the spokes all loose, how do I ensure the hub is centered in the wheel when I start to tighten the spokes again. Is there some sort of "instruction manual" that talks one through this.
[/ QUOTE ]
As mentioned, there are DIY instructions available. What they don't say is that truing spoked wheels is more art than science. The art only comes with experience. Getting the wheels perfectly concentric & round, straight & with the correct offset, is truly a huge job for the inexperienced. It requires jigs, indicators, & knowing exactly what to do. Good luck. If you are successful & will do it cheap, I have some old wheels that need a bit of attention. I got all the experience I wanted on motorcycle wheels which are much easier to work with. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
D
Re: Wire Wheels: Restoration
Dave,
I will let you know how it goes. I am a bit of a sucker for taking on these things. I keep telling myself that if someone else can do it so can I. But the fact is there are some things that should just not be done. And I seem to do them all.
Dave,
I will let you know how it goes. I am a bit of a sucker for taking on these things. I keep telling myself that if someone else can do it so can I. But the fact is there are some things that should just not be done. And I seem to do them all.